Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea believes Casemiro was unlucky to get his marching orders against Southampton yesterday.
Casemiro was sent off just when United were trying to make inroads into the Premier League game.
The midfielder first received a yellow card for his lunging tackle, but the referee swapped it for a red card after looking at the incident on the monitor.
De Gea admitted that the red card was the defining moment of the game.
He told (via ManUtd.com): “Before the game, we wanted to win three points, but the game changed when Case (Casemiro) got sent off. It was very tough, but I think the team did well.
“We defended and then I think we had a couple of good chances to score a goal and win the game.
“At the end, we have to take the point and it shows great team spirit, how we fought to the end.
“The tackle was a normal tackle. But then, he touched the ball and the ball made his leg go a little higher and he hit the player from Southampton. He was very unlucky.
“We suffered a bit. To play for 70 minutes with ten players is tough. But like I say, we showed good team spirit and we kept trying till the end and we nearly scored a goal.”
With United reduced to 10 men, De Gea had to endure a busier afternoon than he had imagined before the kick-off.
He pulled off a big reflex save from Theo Walcott midway through the first half. The former Arsenal forward ghosted past Luke Shaw to head the ball, but his effort went straight at the goalkeeper.
After a horror performance in midweek against Real Betis, many eyes were on the Spaniard.
His ball distribution was appalling in the previous game, often putting pressure on his teammates.
His kicking was much better against Southampton, which will be a relief for the 32-year-old.
Manchester United next face Real Betis at Benito Villamarin on Thursday night in the second leg of the Europa League last-16 tie.
